Migraines
I think there are a couple of issues here.
Firstly, you do, in the very least, need to speak to your AME, as a medication which could potentially affect your flying has been prescribed.
The Z-drugs and term "Migraine" does seem to twitch them, (although, from previous posts, not always preclude you from flying).
The term "Migraine" is loosly used, by medics and laymen alone, I'd be a little careful about attaching a label to yourself without specialist advice.
High tech scans/examination are likely to reveal little. Diagnosis will, most likely, be made on the story of your symptoms, a "headache diary," may be useful.
Cheers, ginge.
Firstly, you do, in the very least, need to speak to your AME, as a medication which could potentially affect your flying has been prescribed.
The Z-drugs and term "Migraine" does seem to twitch them, (although, from previous posts, not always preclude you from flying).
The term "Migraine" is loosly used, by medics and laymen alone, I'd be a little careful about attaching a label to yourself without specialist advice.
High tech scans/examination are likely to reveal little. Diagnosis will, most likely, be made on the story of your symptoms, a "headache diary," may be useful.
Cheers, ginge.
Psychophysiological entity
Migraine without aura, is still pretty awful, I'm sorry to hear that your suffering this malaise.
You haven't said whether you are male or female. For your symptoms, this is important.
Frankly, I don't think it will affect your doing a bit of private flying, given that you get a warning period and no visual disturbance. But it's really not for me to say.
As gingernut says:
It would be a shame to spook the powers that be for no good reason.
You haven't said whether you are male or female. For your symptoms, this is important.
Frankly, I don't think it will affect your doing a bit of private flying, given that you get a warning period and no visual disturbance. But it's really not for me to say.
As gingernut says:
The term "Migraine" is loosly used, by medics and laymen alone, I'd be a little careful about attaching a label to yourself without specialist advice.
Psychophysiological entity
A few quickly written notes...much the same stuff that I've posted for years. Remember, I'm a retired pilot not a doctor. Though I do try to source my data from serious publications.
Okay, rule out 'menstrual' migraine...some on this forum would not approve of the term anyway. However, make a log of any relationship with times, sex-drive, or anything really. The sex thing shows up all sorts of interconnections...growing a beard more quickly is just one. Hormonal changes happen, so I wouldn't totally rule out such a link.
The fact that you get sick, pretty well rules out a chronic sinus infection. (given that you're okay in between) That can be very hard to distinguish from 'real' headaches sometimes. Oddly, they can come and go at certain times of the day, mostly relating to head position though.
You've gone down the Tryptophan route to some extent, Tryptophan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Keep researching those links to possible triggers.
Learning all you can about the problem and aiming to stop them happening should be your goal, though ameliorating the symptoms is a first step, and a good one, because you then don't fear the onset of another one so much. Such worry can be self-fueling.
Aim to work on the problem, but remember, it'll probably stop by itself,
Long term, deep seated worry, is I think, one of the prime causes of migraine. Think that one through.
Some of these spasms (muscles in the blood-vessel walls) are caused by what the mind interprets as a perceived threat, be they psychological disruptions, or real. Trying to relax before the tension is something that can only be done with practice. A quick try, followed by a headache - and then giving up, achieves nothing.
A lot of work has to be put in to stop cyclic stress tension. This is where making a note of the onset timing is important. A link to the same time of day and the same type of mental loads prior to an episode, starts to give some indication of the initial cause.
The following is unqualified stuff, but ideas that I had years ago now seem to be fitting in with modern findings.
My guess is that you are suffering headaches during the restriction phase. A doctor friend and sufferer, is determined that her's are all in this phase.
This is for general interest only, though it occurs to me that your sickness might be a reaction to the 'dilator'. Thankfully, it seems that for one reason or the other you are spared the aura.
A classical migraine sufferer will, I believe, get the aura when a hormone is introduced to dilate 'crisis-clamped' vessels.* It's strong stuff, and 'numbs out' some of the brain's functions, often causing visual disruption, loss of feeling in the fingertips, loss of vocabulary - all the result of an emergency burst of stuff to open up vessels that are now dangerously clamped.
This clamping is designed to save lives - where there is trauma. The problem is that the thinking department just can't tell the difference between head trauma and something that makes an evolved brain unhappy in some way. Perhaps we were not designed to think too much.
So, part of the brain reacts to something it doesn't like, then starts to restrict blood flow because it thinks that is an appropriate reaction to anything nasty. Another department then introduces chemistry to undo the restriction. Both make you feel ill.
Anyway, keep going to the doctor, if it gets tedious, press for an MRI. Try to explain why you don't want the word migraine used, unless it is absolutely certain that you are actually suffering them.
If you really want to annoy your doctor, tell him you've just got a lot of stuff off the internet.
Keep us advised.
*EDIT to say that after even perhaps one episode caused by a real issue, the crisis may be a figment of one's mind. A totally destructive process that keeps reoccurring.
Okay, rule out 'menstrual' migraine...some on this forum would not approve of the term anyway. However, make a log of any relationship with times, sex-drive, or anything really. The sex thing shows up all sorts of interconnections...growing a beard more quickly is just one. Hormonal changes happen, so I wouldn't totally rule out such a link.
The fact that you get sick, pretty well rules out a chronic sinus infection. (given that you're okay in between) That can be very hard to distinguish from 'real' headaches sometimes. Oddly, they can come and go at certain times of the day, mostly relating to head position though.
You've gone down the Tryptophan route to some extent, Tryptophan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Keep researching those links to possible triggers.
Learning all you can about the problem and aiming to stop them happening should be your goal, though ameliorating the symptoms is a first step, and a good one, because you then don't fear the onset of another one so much. Such worry can be self-fueling.
Aim to work on the problem, but remember, it'll probably stop by itself,
Long term, deep seated worry, is I think, one of the prime causes of migraine. Think that one through.
Some of these spasms (muscles in the blood-vessel walls) are caused by what the mind interprets as a perceived threat, be they psychological disruptions, or real. Trying to relax before the tension is something that can only be done with practice. A quick try, followed by a headache - and then giving up, achieves nothing.
A lot of work has to be put in to stop cyclic stress tension. This is where making a note of the onset timing is important. A link to the same time of day and the same type of mental loads prior to an episode, starts to give some indication of the initial cause.
The following is unqualified stuff, but ideas that I had years ago now seem to be fitting in with modern findings.
My guess is that you are suffering headaches during the restriction phase. A doctor friend and sufferer, is determined that her's are all in this phase.
This is for general interest only, though it occurs to me that your sickness might be a reaction to the 'dilator'. Thankfully, it seems that for one reason or the other you are spared the aura.
A classical migraine sufferer will, I believe, get the aura when a hormone is introduced to dilate 'crisis-clamped' vessels.* It's strong stuff, and 'numbs out' some of the brain's functions, often causing visual disruption, loss of feeling in the fingertips, loss of vocabulary - all the result of an emergency burst of stuff to open up vessels that are now dangerously clamped.
This clamping is designed to save lives - where there is trauma. The problem is that the thinking department just can't tell the difference between head trauma and something that makes an evolved brain unhappy in some way. Perhaps we were not designed to think too much.
So, part of the brain reacts to something it doesn't like, then starts to restrict blood flow because it thinks that is an appropriate reaction to anything nasty. Another department then introduces chemistry to undo the restriction. Both make you feel ill.
Anyway, keep going to the doctor, if it gets tedious, press for an MRI. Try to explain why you don't want the word migraine used, unless it is absolutely certain that you are actually suffering them.
If you really want to annoy your doctor, tell him you've just got a lot of stuff off the internet.
Keep us advised.
*EDIT to say that after even perhaps one episode caused by a real issue, the crisis may be a figment of one's mind. A totally destructive process that keeps reoccurring.
Last edited by Loose rivets; 15th Feb 2009 at 21:33.
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Wow, lots to read, lots to digest. Thanks!
I am pretty optimistic most of the time, and not a worrier. Certainly, nothing major is bothering me particularly at the moment, so I don't think that is the issue. However, the headaches have occurred a couple of times when I've had a stressful day at work. I spend most of my waking hours looking at a computer. The temperature control at work is not great, with plenty of variation during the day. I have had my eyesight tested recently.
Unfortunately, the dreaded migraine word already appears in my GP notes.
At what point would it be absolutely certain I was or was not suffering from migraine?
What would an MRI show?
I am pretty optimistic most of the time, and not a worrier. Certainly, nothing major is bothering me particularly at the moment, so I don't think that is the issue. However, the headaches have occurred a couple of times when I've had a stressful day at work. I spend most of my waking hours looking at a computer. The temperature control at work is not great, with plenty of variation during the day. I have had my eyesight tested recently.
Unfortunately, the dreaded migraine word already appears in my GP notes.
At what point would it be absolutely certain I was or was not suffering from migraine?
What would an MRI show?
Psychophysiological entity
Yes, this is sadly true. I was hoping functional MRIs (fMRI) would reveal some interesting insights, but the problems in catching the onset are obvious.
Even if you could contrive to be in the machine just as one was starting, the fact that something as obscure as an evocative piece of music can light up the areas of the brain, indicates how misleading an unknown stimulus might be. In one subject, one piece of music lit up the entire image 'full red'. That surprising result is the subject of considerable research.
I feel that the Sunday syndrome, counters many established ideas. This is about the school teacher that had migraines on her only restful day. Stress is often stimulating, and the last thing to cause classical migraine. However, in your case, the office environment sounds a little like the setting for 'tightening up' muscles round the head.
There is new research into the muscles over the eyes...in the forehead...I think I've posted the name of this cluster on a previous post. Anyway, they inject Botox into the muscle(s) and wait for results. I seem to remember that in about 30% of the cases they get total relief, and the patient then has the nerve to that muscle cut. In the lucky patients, the results are instant.
This thing about muscle tension. In so many cases it's totally counterproductive, and just adds to the suffering. Backs, necks, eyes...solid data about muscles winding up during the day and causing misery.
Again, with great reluctance, I mention Benzodiazepines (eg Valium) as a diagnostic tool. Their unprecedented power in unlocking some of these wound-up muscles is nothing short of astonishing. Their power to ruin lives is nothing short of horrifying. Talk to your doctor about using them for a couple of days to test for a localized muscle spasm. Remember, the link to migraine is somewhat tenuous. Spasm first, perceived threat, then the true migraine by some obscure link.
Always with migraine, the aim should be to remove the cause.
Benzodiazepine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Even if you could contrive to be in the machine just as one was starting, the fact that something as obscure as an evocative piece of music can light up the areas of the brain, indicates how misleading an unknown stimulus might be. In one subject, one piece of music lit up the entire image 'full red'. That surprising result is the subject of considerable research.
I feel that the Sunday syndrome, counters many established ideas. This is about the school teacher that had migraines on her only restful day. Stress is often stimulating, and the last thing to cause classical migraine. However, in your case, the office environment sounds a little like the setting for 'tightening up' muscles round the head.
There is new research into the muscles over the eyes...in the forehead...I think I've posted the name of this cluster on a previous post. Anyway, they inject Botox into the muscle(s) and wait for results. I seem to remember that in about 30% of the cases they get total relief, and the patient then has the nerve to that muscle cut. In the lucky patients, the results are instant.
This thing about muscle tension. In so many cases it's totally counterproductive, and just adds to the suffering. Backs, necks, eyes...solid data about muscles winding up during the day and causing misery.
Again, with great reluctance, I mention Benzodiazepines (eg Valium) as a diagnostic tool. Their unprecedented power in unlocking some of these wound-up muscles is nothing short of astonishing. Their power to ruin lives is nothing short of horrifying. Talk to your doctor about using them for a couple of days to test for a localized muscle spasm. Remember, the link to migraine is somewhat tenuous. Spasm first, perceived threat, then the true migraine by some obscure link.
Always with migraine, the aim should be to remove the cause.
Benzodiazepine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Psychophysiological entity
I'd forgotten that they remove the muscle, not just cut the nerve.
an article by one Rebecca Camber in a British daily. So not my usual standard of source material. However, there was something that tallied with a well known case that made me take particular note of this article, and therefore feeling comfortable with the logic.
an article by one Rebecca Camber in a British daily. So not my usual standard of source material. However, there was something that tallied with a well known case that made me take particular note of this article, and therefore feeling comfortable with the logic.
Sufferers being offered an operation to remove muscles in the head that trigger the attacks.
Firstly, Botox is used to test the result. Then, if there is a reduction in the attacks, they remove the Corrugator muscle.
"Many, but not all, are triggered by interaction of this muscle with nerves in the head."
Firstly, Botox is used to test the result. Then, if there is a reduction in the attacks, they remove the Corrugator muscle.
"Many, but not all, are triggered by interaction of this muscle with nerves in the head."
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Migraine - Visual Aura question
Please excuse a ground-based Operations Manager interloping on this forum, but I have a question about a symptom I consider not to be too serious, but I guess would be a stopper for a pilot; hence you may be able to shed some light on it's erradication.
Recently, Ive been suffering from what I suspect to be a form of migraine. Pretty much the only symptom I get is the "visual aura", a small but growing shining/shimmering patch in my plane of vision. It's not specifically in either eye, but obviously somewhere further back, as it appears in the same place regardless of which eye I focus through. It is sometimes accompanied by a subsequent minor headache, but apart from the spot-blindness and the inability to do anything constructive whilst it happens (which is probably only 30 mins), it is not in the same hemisphere as what I am led to believe is the "classic" migraine.
I've had them on and off (perhaps once every 6 months) for a few years, but recently they have increased in frequency to perhaps once a week. Probably just coincidence, but the increase in frequency apprears to have coincided with the arrival of Twinjetter Jr and a new job with a 5 hour commute each day (Being an Ops bod of many years experience, I thought I knew the meaning of fatigue...perhaps not!!)
So my question is, how do I mitigate their occurrence? I don't need them and they sure as hell don't need me. As mentioned earlier, if I were a Pilot, the occurrence of such symptoms would probably put my Class 1 at risk (I surmise), so I'm confident that any fellow sufferers out there will have found a cure, even if it involves Llama semen and a stapler!
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Steve
Recently, Ive been suffering from what I suspect to be a form of migraine. Pretty much the only symptom I get is the "visual aura", a small but growing shining/shimmering patch in my plane of vision. It's not specifically in either eye, but obviously somewhere further back, as it appears in the same place regardless of which eye I focus through. It is sometimes accompanied by a subsequent minor headache, but apart from the spot-blindness and the inability to do anything constructive whilst it happens (which is probably only 30 mins), it is not in the same hemisphere as what I am led to believe is the "classic" migraine.
I've had them on and off (perhaps once every 6 months) for a few years, but recently they have increased in frequency to perhaps once a week. Probably just coincidence, but the increase in frequency apprears to have coincided with the arrival of Twinjetter Jr and a new job with a 5 hour commute each day (Being an Ops bod of many years experience, I thought I knew the meaning of fatigue...perhaps not!!)
So my question is, how do I mitigate their occurrence? I don't need them and they sure as hell don't need me. As mentioned earlier, if I were a Pilot, the occurrence of such symptoms would probably put my Class 1 at risk (I surmise), so I'm confident that any fellow sufferers out there will have found a cure, even if it involves Llama semen and a stapler!
Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Steve
Migraine with aura is disqualifying for any pilot I believe. (You can understand why).
I used to get them - your symptoms are exactly what I had, only my shimmering lights lasted about 20 minutes and then stopped, to be followed by a horrendous pain behind one eye and associated nausea for about 2 hours. I felt a bit out of it for about another two hours after that.
I solved the pain problem by taking 1000mg paracetamol and 600mg ibuprofen together as soon as the shimmering started, but I haven't heard of or found anything which stops the aura. You only know you're getting it once it's started!
My migraines were triggered mainly by two/three things - cheese and dehydration/overheating. I stopped eating cheese and have plenty to drink now, and no problem!
(Tried llama semen and hole punch, hadn't thought of using a stapler).
I used to get them - your symptoms are exactly what I had, only my shimmering lights lasted about 20 minutes and then stopped, to be followed by a horrendous pain behind one eye and associated nausea for about 2 hours. I felt a bit out of it for about another two hours after that.
I solved the pain problem by taking 1000mg paracetamol and 600mg ibuprofen together as soon as the shimmering started, but I haven't heard of or found anything which stops the aura. You only know you're getting it once it's started!
My migraines were triggered mainly by two/three things - cheese and dehydration/overheating. I stopped eating cheese and have plenty to drink now, and no problem!
(Tried llama semen and hole punch, hadn't thought of using a stapler).
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B&T Thanks for the reply; I'll stock up on the pain-killers and try that next time (I've never been in to taking them very often, so hopefully a decent dose might hit the symptoms like a train).
I can understand the dehydration - sometimes my daily liquid intake is solely Caffeine and a couple of glasses of vino with dinner. I guess I'm my own worst enemy there. I think the increase in frequency is enough to make me start forcing H2O down my throat.
Finally, it would be something nice like cheese wouldn't it? Why not Leeks or something equally non-descript and non-enjoyable?!? I'll go with the H2O plan first and see what happens.
Assumed that a Class 1 would be out of the window, good job I have no desire whatsoever to launch skywards.
Thanks for taking the time B&T, and keep the faith with that stapler
I can understand the dehydration - sometimes my daily liquid intake is solely Caffeine and a couple of glasses of vino with dinner. I guess I'm my own worst enemy there. I think the increase in frequency is enough to make me start forcing H2O down my throat.
Finally, it would be something nice like cheese wouldn't it? Why not Leeks or something equally non-descript and non-enjoyable?!? I'll go with the H2O plan first and see what happens.
Assumed that a Class 1 would be out of the window, good job I have no desire whatsoever to launch skywards.
Thanks for taking the time B&T, and keep the faith with that stapler
B&T's advice is as good as any you'd get in surgery.
Some, but not all, migraines can be "triggered," the usual factors include tiredness, stress, cheese, coffee, red wine, pre-menstrual tension and chocolate. (A normal Friday night in gingerland)
Paracetamol & ibuprofen can be an effective first line (chat with your pharmacist), 2nd line, effective treatments are also available on prescription.
Prophylactic measures (eg beta blockers) are tolerated well by most patients, the down side is you have to take them daily.
As regards certification, try a search, much has been written on here.
Some, but not all, migraines can be "triggered," the usual factors include tiredness, stress, cheese, coffee, red wine, pre-menstrual tension and chocolate. (A normal Friday night in gingerland
)Paracetamol & ibuprofen can be an effective first line (chat with your pharmacist), 2nd line, effective treatments are also available on prescription.
Prophylactic measures (eg beta blockers) are tolerated well by most patients, the down side is you have to take them daily.
As regards certification, try a search, much has been written on here.
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My father is a doctor and has had migraine with aura since he was
in the university. When begins to see the lights he takes two Cafergot and
if he can lies down in the dark for about 20 min. or so. If he begins to
experience a headache he takes two 500mg. Tylenol. This works for
him pretty well.
in the university. When begins to see the lights he takes two Cafergot and
if he can lies down in the dark for about 20 min. or so. If he begins to
experience a headache he takes two 500mg. Tylenol. This works for
him pretty well.
Psychophysiological entity
Have you done a search? A great deal has been posted on this subject. I'm fairly sure that the FAA's rules on migraine in aircrew was discussed.
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Help Please!!!!Migrianes
I am 28 and thinking of a change in career, (Commercial Pilot) but have had maximum of 10 migraines over the last 4 years, the ones with visual disturbances.
I have been to the doctors a few times to try and sort them out…..will this stop me from getting a class 1 medical?
Please can someone advise me…as I don’t want to spend money trying to get my licence if I will definitely get turned down.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
I have been to the doctors a few times to try and sort them out…..will this stop me from getting a class 1 medical?
Please can someone advise me…as I don’t want to spend money trying to get my licence if I will definitely get turned down.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
